News Release
FOR RELEASE - September 4, 2019
Contact: Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, aellis@aapa-ports.org
(703) 684-5700
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
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The 108th Annual Convention and Expo of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) … the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas … will feature a robust business agenda on Oct. 15-16. Concurrently the Expo hall, or the exhibits portion of the event, will showcase a bevy of port industry vendors, subject matter experts, professional development attractions and activities.
Nearly all of the Expo hall’s 67 exhibit spaces will be filled with port industry product and service providers, ranging from engineering, insurance, construction, security and environmental businesses, to government agencies, ports and terminal operators. In addition, there will be a host of interactive programs, competitions, catered events and featured attractions to entice convention attendees to visit and network in the exhibit hall.
For example, between 1:45pm and 6:45pm on Oct. 15, convention registrants can get a free professional headshot photo from Hampton, Va.-based Franklin Fitzgerald Photography & Video, LLC. Other activities will include two “revolutionary challenges,” special giveaways and opportunities to network with exhibitors.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., convention attendees will be treated to a taste of French-Canadian hospitality, provided by AAPA, convention sponsors and the Québec Port Authority, the host port for next year’s AAPA Convention and Expo program in Québec City, Canada. “The Port of Québec is thrilled to welcome the AAPA 2020 convention in our beautiful UNESCO World Heritage port city. We are planning a content-rich conference filled with the Port of Québec’s DNA: sustainable development, community relations, economic development projects and innovation,” said Mario Girard, CEO, Québec Port Authority.
Co-sponsoring the Québec Port Authority reception will be Green Marine – the premier, voluntary environmental certification program for the North American maritime industry; Great Lakes Dredge & Dock – the largest dredging company in the U.S., providing dredging services that provide for economic growth, coastal resilience and natural infrastructure; Zhenhua Port Machinery Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), the largest port machinery heavy-duty equipment manufacturer in the world, headquartered in Shanghai; and Odgers Berndston, providing board and divisional board-level executive recruitment solutions that has helped clients worldwide find senior talent to drive their agendas.
“Green Marine is eager to participate in the AAPA conference again this year,” said Green Marine Executive Director David Bolduc. “The Convention and Expo Hall provide ideal opportunities to engage directly with port administrators regarding the environmental certification program’s latest developments. It’s also a chance to relate how the AAPA and Green Marine are working in tandem to steadily increase Green Marine’s port membership throughout the United States.”
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Government Relations Vice President Bill Hanson said: "AAPA's annual convention is the definitive opportunity for Western Hemisphere ports and businesses like ours who serve this important industry to come together in an interactive and engaging setting to exchange ideas and learn from each other. At GLD&D, we always say, 'It all starts with dredging.' We're a proud co-sponsor of the 2019 AAPA convention, an annual event we wholeheartedly support."
ZPMC Chairman Zhu Lianyu said: “ZPMC is grateful to the AAPA for their hard work on behalf of the seaports of the Americas. The current political climate has caused great uncertainty within the port community and, as a result of AAPA’s hard work and dedication, many questions have been put to rest. We have been an avid supporter of AAPA as the leading voice for our industry since our establishment in the Americas, and we are happy and honored to support them at their 2019 Annual Convention.”
More information about AAPA’s 108th Annual Convention and Expo, including its business program agenda, exhibitors and sponsors, is available at https://federalconference.swoogo.com/aapavirginia2019/.
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WHO: |
Hosted by The Port of Virginia for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) |
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WHAT: |
In addition to its robust business program, AAPA’s 108th Annual Convention and Expo will feature an exhibit hall full of port industry goods and service providers, subject matter experts, professional development attractions and a host of interactive activities, as well as the location for the reception to showcase AAPA’s 2020 Annual Convention and Expo, hosted by the Québec Port Authority. |
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WHEN: |
The convention runs Oct. 13-16, with open business sessions all day Oct. 15 and 16. The Québec Port Authority reception is slated from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15. |
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WHERE: |
Hilton Norfolk The Main, 100 East Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 |
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MEDIA: |
Professional journalists representing bona-fide media outlets may request a code by emailing Aaron Ellis at aellis@aapa-ports.org or Joe Harris at jharris@portofvirginia.com to register online for complimentary access to the opening day harbor tour, the open business sessions (Oct. 15-16), the exhibition hall, and the closing reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. Journalists registering online should select the “Media” registration option after receiving their code. |
About The Port of Virginia
The Port of Virginia, headquartered in Norfolk, is comprised of four marine terminals, two intermodal container transfer facilities and a barge terminal. It has on-dock, double-stack rail served by two Class One rail lines, Norfolk Southern and CSX. The Port of Virginia is located within one day’s drive of two-thirds of the nation’s population and regularly serves vessels in excess of 14,000 TEUs. The port is mid-way through a $695 million expansion project that will increase annual container capacity by 40 percent by 2020. It has 50’ deep channels and recently received approval to deepen its channels to 55’ and widen to 1,300’.
About AAPA
Founded in 1912 and recognized as the unified voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA today represents 130 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 200 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports. According to IHS Markit’s World Trade Service, combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere ports in 2017 totaled 4.303 billion metric tons in volume and US$2.675 trillion in value. Of that total, ports in Central and South America handled 1.741 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$1.024 trillion, while North American ports handled 1.90 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.305 trillion. To meet the growing demand for trade, the AAPA and its members are committed to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org. On Twitter: http://twitter.com/AAPA_Seaports
